Trump Reaffirms Support for Israel and Netanyahu Amid GOP Backlash
Former President Donald Trump, on Friday, expressed his support for Israel and its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, despite facing criticism from fellow Republicans for his recent remarks against Netanyahu in the wake of the Hamas attacks.
Using his Truth Social platform, Trump posted hashtags “#IStandWithIsrael” and “#IStandWithBibi,” signaling a departure from his earlier statements this week. At a Florida rally, Trump had criticized Netanyahu, suggesting he had “let us down” prior to the U.S. action against a top Iranian general. Trump also made comments about Israel's intelligence capabilities and referred to Hezbollah, a significant threat to Israel, as “very smart.”
These remarks drew sharp criticism from both the White House and Trump's GOP peers, who have typically refrained from directly confronting Trump due to his enduring popularity among the party's base.
By Thursday, Trump's team seemed to be in damage control mode, releasing statements emphasizing Trump's historical support for Israel. Trump highlighted his close relationship with the Israeli military and praised their efforts against Hamas following the surprise attack on October 7, which has resulted in significant casualties.
However, the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu has been complicated. Trump's anger was palpable when Netanyahu congratulated President-elect Biden on his 2020 election victory while Trump was contesting the results. Trump reportedly used strong language against Netanyahu in interviews for a book, emphasizing his expectation of loyalty.
Despite the clarification from Trump's camp, his GOP counterparts continued their criticism. Former Vice President Mike Pence, while campaigning in New Hampshire, labeled Trump's comments as "reckless and irresponsible." Nikki Haley, Trump's former ambassador to the United Nations, emphasized the need for a president who can discern "good from evil." Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a known critic of Trump, described him as "self-consumed" and questioned the feasibility of having such a president during a crisis.
This episode underscores the complexities within the GOP and the challenges Trump faces in maintaining a unified front within his party.